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Deep Link Generator

Generate custom scheme URLs, Android Intent URLs, and iOS Universal Links.

myapp://open/product/123?ref=banner&utm_source=email
<!-- App Store / Play Store smart banner -->
<meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=123456789" />
<meta name="google-play-app" content="app-id=com.example.myapp" />

<!-- Universal link intent -->
<a href="myapp://open/product/123?ref=banner&utm_source=email"
   onclick="setTimeout(function(){ window.location='https://example.com/product/123'; }, 1500)">
  Open in app
</a>
Popular app schemes — click to fill

How the Deep Link Generator works

The deep link generator builds correctly formatted deep link URLs for iOS and Android applications. Enter your URI scheme, host, path, and query parameters to generate custom scheme URLs, Android Intent URLs, and iOS Universal Link / App Link formats — along with a ready-to-use HTML snippet for embedding in web pages and marketing emails without writing the fallback logic manually.

Custom URI scheme links

Custom URI schemes take the form myapp://host/path?param=value. They are registered in the app's Info.plist (iOS) or AndroidManifest.xml (Android) and trigger the app when tapped. For example, twitter:// opens Twitter, mailto:// opens the email client. Custom schemes are simple to implement but have no fallback to the app store if the app is not installed — Universal Links solve this limitation on iOS.

iOS Universal Links

Universal Links use standard HTTPS URLs (e.g., https://example.com/profile/123) with an associated domains entitlement and an apple-app-site-association (AASA) JSON file served at /.well-known/apple-app-site-association. When the app is installed, iOS intercepts matching HTTPS URLs and opens the app directly. When it is not installed, the browser falls through to the regular web page — giving a seamless experience with no broken links.

Android App Links and Intent URLs

Android App Links work similarly to Universal Links using Digital Asset Links JSON at /.well-known/assetlinks.json. The intent:// URL format provides another option for Android-specific links: intent://profile/123#Intent;scheme=myapp;package=com.example.app;end. This syntax allows specifying a fallback URL, a package name for direct Play Store redirect, and Android-specific parameters not expressible in a plain URI scheme.

Testing deep links on device

On Android, you can test deep links from the command line using adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "myapp://test/path". On iOS, xcrun simctl openurl booted "myapp://test/path" tests links in the simulator. The generator's output includes these test commands pre-populated with your configured link so you can copy and run them immediately during development without manual string construction.

Frequently asked questions

What is a deep link?
A deep link is a URL that navigates directly to a specific screen or piece of content inside a mobile app, bypassing the home screen entirely. For example, myapp://product/123 would open a specific product detail page inside the app. Deep links are used in push notifications, email campaigns, and social media ads to reduce the steps between click and conversion.
What is the difference between URI scheme and Universal Link?
A URI scheme (such as myapp://) is the traditional method — it works when the app is installed, but shows an error or falls back to nothing if the app is not installed. Universal Links (iOS) and App Links (Android) use standard https:// URLs — if the app is installed they open the app directly; if not, the browser opens the fallback website. Universal Links provide a far better user experience and are the recommended approach.
What are Firebase Dynamic Links?
Firebase Dynamic Links are smart deep links managed by Google that work across iOS, Android, and the web from a single URL. They route users to the correct destination based on platform and whether the app is installed. They also survive app installs — if a user clicks the link before installing the app, the app opens to the correct screen after installation. Firebase Dynamic Links are commonly used for referral programs, email campaigns, and QR code campaigns.

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